International Human Rights Law Documents

1 To promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms of the peoples of ASEAN;

2 To uphold the right of the peoples of ASEAN to live in peace, dignity and prosperity;

3 To contribute to the realisation of the purposes of ASEAN as set out in the ASEAN Charter in order to promote stability and harmony in the region, friendship and cooperation among ASEAN Member States, as well as the well-being, livelihood, welfare and participation of ASEAN peoples in the ASEAN Community building process;

4 To promote human rights within the regional context, bearing in mind national and regional particularities and mutual respect for different historical, cultural and religious backgrounds, and taking into account the balance between rights and responsibilities;

5 To enhance regional cooperation with a view to complementing national and international efforts on the promotion and protection of human rights; and

6 To uphold international human rights standards as prescribed by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, and international human rights instruments to which ASEAN Member States are parties.

a) respect for the independence, sovereignty, equality, territorial integrity and national identity of all ASEAN Member States;

b) non-interference in the internal affairs of ASEAN Member States;

c) respect for the right of every Member State to lead its national existence free from external interference, subversion and coercion;

d) adherence to the rule of law, good governance, the principles of democracy and constitutional government;

e) respect for fundamental freedoms, the promotion and protection of human rights, and the promotion of social justice;

f) upholding the Charter of the United Nations and international law, including international humanitarian law, subscribed to by ASEAN Member States; and

g) respect for different cultures, languages and religions of the peoples of ASEAN, while emphasising their common values in the spirit of unity in diversity.